This book just felt like it was missing something to me. i loved the idea of the book and the plot but something was missing from it that made me dislike it.

What's in a Kiss? was a short and sweet read but it left me feeling like I needed more. I didn't understand how she got from one world to the next? I also didn't understand how her mother in the other world could just refuse to even try to reconcile with her... and over her leaving for New York and taking out a loan? I just can't imagine cutting my own child out of my life over that.
I think there is quite a bit that could've been explored and more detailed.

I would rate this a 2.5 stars. I really liked the idea of the story but the overall execution of the story fell a bit flat for me. I really liked the writing from the author but it just felt a bit drawn out and confusing. I will probably read this again at some point in the future and see if a second read makes it a higher rating for me!

Ahhhhhhhhhh this gave me nostalgia. I love 13 going on 30 type of stories. I love the take of love that this gave…

I love that it didn’t have your typical bachelorette party- it instead took the peace to clear your mind.

This was a fun enemies to lovers / dual reality book. The beginning is all enemies to lovers, and has the best banter; I really loved the first few chapters.

The ‘what if’ was fairly typical, but was well written. I enjoyed watching the other timeline unfold, seeing the alternate reality, and the the FMC finding herself and what she wants in life through exploring what she did and did not have.

It did feel like it ended rather abruptly, and I would have loved at least an epilogue.

From kind of rivals and not quite enemies to lovers in an alternate reality. The MMC Jake was a super swoon worthy, golden retriever who gave me butterflies. I liked the Sliding Doors vibes. How one kiss can change your whole life but in both worlds they were meant to be. I was utterly charmed by this fun and flirty read.

I wanted to love this book so much but it just fell short for me.

Liv is a complex character, I feel like the revelations were too late and drawn out. The premise of the book is amazing but lacking.

Jake is an ok character.

Overall the relationships in the story are ok. Just something about it and I can't put my finger on it about why it was a miss for me.


Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

The book started off really cute and I was excited to get into it, but once the storyline changed to what her life could have been I was thrown off and struggled a little. The ending was great and I did enjoy the read for the most part once I figured out what was going on.

I enjoyed this book but felt like it was lacking more information and just clarity. I love a rom/com but I wish I knew more about where the relationship went with our characters!

Although, the story was well thought out it just missed the mark for me a little bit.

Me fue imposible creer que Olivia y Jack se amaran, lo que ella sentía por él era envidia.


La mayoría de los capítulo fueron del otro mundo, o sea que esas interacciones entre Liv y Jack realmente no pasaron. Y las pocas interacciones reales que tuvieron fueron de ellos llevándose mal, de ella teniendole celos por su éxito y de él molestandola, entonces, lo que paso en el último capítulo no fue nada creíble.

El comportamiento de Olivia deja mucho que desear.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for and honest review.

Have you ever pondered the what if? Or wished you could get a glimpse of that alternate reality?

What’s In A Kiss tackled just that in Lauren Kate’s newest contemporary fiction/ romance read. It gives solid Sliding Doors, 13 Going On 30 type vibes as it tackles the whole alternate paths trope.

Personally I’m a sucker for this trope - I’m definitely one who ponders the what ifs of life at times or wishes I could “see” the other path 🤷🏼‍♀️ So, the premise of this one was super intriguing to me - add to that my previous experience with this author and I knew this was a must have.

The story was fun and gave some good opportunities for thought and discussion throughout. I enjoyed seeing both versions of Olivia (and others), though she could be a bit much at moments overall I grew to really appreciate her. I really enjoyed the Olivia and Jake versions and interactions. This one left me wanting a bit more at the end, so I was kind of hoping we would get an epilogue.

Overall I found this one to be an enjoyable and charming read. I can’t to see what this author does next, and definitely recommend this one for fans of the alternate timeline trope.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy! All thoughts and opinions shared are my own and freely offered.

3.5 ⭐️

Love the concept of this rom-com. The character development of Olivia was well executed and thought out. However, I wish she did not so spiral so hard when she realized that she was transported. I kept thinking this was similar to Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow and was happy that it was mentioned! Over, it had the perfect amount of humor, romance, and spice.

This is a cute story, but sometimes it left me with more questions than answers and at times was confusing.

I always enjoy alternate universe second chance books and What's in a Kiss was no exception. I enjoyed the main premise and getting to see how different Liv's life would have been had one night gone differently. This was a quick and fun read and I liked the writing style. My only real complaint was that we never got an explanation about what the falling outs between the FMC and her mom and best friend were found it hard to believe there was something so bad her mother was refusing to talk to her. Rating this one 3/3.5 stars and would read more from Lauren Kate. I want to thank NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Parallel universe stories can be such a good time. And there were definitely some cute and fun parts, but I had to ask "BUT WHY?!" way too many times while reading this. Why was the mom so dang pissed? Why was the best friend so outwardly hostile? Was it just because they stopped talking that much when she got famous? Like, what exactly did Olivia do to completely and absolutely wreck these relationships? I wanted to know some examples and I wanted the "real" Olivia to be horrified by her alternate reality self!

I also didn't understand why Jake had loved her all this time...(but that one was easier to just shrug my shoulders and carry on).

There were also some scenes where I was a little confused. Like the taco scene? That was a strange way to try to highlight just how good Jake was at "peopleing".  That scene read like a fever dream tbh.

I really enjoyed the IDEA of this book. Olivia finding herself suddenly very famous was probably my favorite part.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the pleasure of being able to read an ARC of this book so that I may give my honest feedback and review.

I loved the last Lauren Kate romance I read, and so I had good hopes for this one. It's got a second chance and alternate timeline plotline which sounds interesting and what initially drew me in. However, I was struggling at reading this primarily because of Liv's character. I couldn't get myself to finish it (DNF @ 30%).

This wasn't for me, but others might enjoy this romcom read.

I couldn't get into this - I'm so sorry! The writing was stagnant and it was hard for me to visualize and hear the characters and their surroundings. I ended up stopping. Regardless, I appreciate the ARC from NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam.

What's in a Kiss? was such a cute and fun read! I loved the banter and dynamic between Olivia and Jake, and loved the alternate timeline!

Such a cute rom-com, this was fun , nice and easy to read, enjoyed the characters and the story. The whole setting was nice . Looking forward to check more books of this author.

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Have you ever wondered what would happened if one small decision changed the course of your life? Liv and Masha are THE best friends. Liv is the kind of gal who drops everything for the people she loves, even ten years after her father’s tragic death. When Masha gets married, Liv is her biggest supporter as Maid of Honor and nothing will stop her from standing by her bestie’s side…not even the best man who brings a lot of emotional baggage from high school days. When a moment in the wedding ceremony flips the whole history into an alternate universe, life for everyone looks very different! This group of friends from high school are written so wonderfully that you feel like part of the crew! What’s in a Kiss is a feel-good rom com that examines the trajectory of life in a totally different, cosmic way. Lauren Kate creates a story that is so hypnotizing and fun that time flies by and sucks the reader into their own parallel timeline, an absolutely engrossing and light-hearted read!

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram ahead of the publication date.